Malaria disproportionately affects children under five years of age. In many countries with high perennial transmission, the age of highest risk is under three years of age, while in areas of highly seasonal malaria, the age of highest risk may be extended. Go to footnote 1, Go to footnote 2, Go to footnote 3
Adults who have resided in areas with high transmission since childhood generally develop partial immunity through repeated infection from early months of age and are generally not at risk of severe malaria. Pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals remain at a higher risk for severe malaria and death. Go to footnote 4 Malaria in pregnancy is an important cause of maternal morbidity, stillbirths, and low birthweight, which is in itself associated with infant mortality.
- Go back to footnote reference 1
World Health Organization (2025). World malaria report 2025: addressing the threat of antimalarial drug resistance. Geneva: World Health Organization (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240117822, accessed 13 May 2026).
- Go back to footnote reference 2
United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) (2026). Levels & trends in child mortality: report 2025. New York: United Nations Children’s Fund (https://data.unicef.org/resources/levels-and-trends-in-child-mortality-2025/, accessed 13 May 2026).
- Go back to footnote reference 3
TechNet-21 (2025). Guide for introducing a malaria vaccine into national immunization programmes – final draft (https://www.technet-21.org/en/resources/guidance/guide-for-introducing-a-malaria-vaccine-into-national-immunization-programmes, accessed 13 May 2026).
- Go back to footnote reference 4
World Health Organization (2024). Malaria vaccines: WHO position paper, May 2024. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 99(19):225–248 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer-9919-225-248, accessed 13 May 2026).
